Casein solution and method of producing same.



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' HENRY V. DUN HAM, 01B BELLOWS FALLS, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO CASEIN COMPANY OF AMERICA, A (JORPORATIONOF NEW JERSEY.

GASEIN SOLUTIO AND METHOD F PRODUCING SAME.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY V. lDUNHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellows Falls, in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Casein Solutions and Methods of Producg the Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention or discovery has for its obect to produce an insoluble casein roduct by the aid of an alkaline hydrate, alco ol,.and formaldehyde, such product being suitable for use in photographic films or for other purposes, as for tablets, &c.

While I am aware that formaldehyde has heretofore been used in connection with alkalized water-casein solutions, yet, to my knowledge, noprocess has ever been discovered for the use of formaldehyde in alcoholiccasein solutions for the urpose of rendering the product insoluble. Ihave, however, discovered that by dissolving casein with alcohol by the aid of an alkaline hydrate soluble in alcohol I am able to produce an alcoholic solution of casein the dried product of which will be waterproof or insoluble in water if the solution has been rendered neutral.

The lnvention or discovery is carried into effect by dissolving about one hundred parts of casein in a mixture of from two hundred to three hundred parts of methyl or ethyl alcohol and about fifteen to twenty parts of an alkaline hydrate soluble in alcohol, preferably potassium hydrate or sodium hydrate, the ca'sem bemg com letely dissolved by the comblned action of the alcohol and either of these hydrates when the mixture is allowed to stand or is gently agitated for a suitable tune, such solution of the casein being effected without the aid of heat. I then preferpassed into the alcoholic-casein solution.

The alcoholic-casein solution just described may be neutralized by means of any suitable acid or acid salt and without precipitating the casein, and after such neutralization the formaldehyde when used is added Patented May 29, 1906. v

to the solution, producing the insoluble results just stated. In thus neutralizing the alcoholic-casein solution with an acid or acid salt care should be taken not to. render the solution decidedl acid, as in such case the formaldehyde 1 not render the dried-out product waterproof'or insoluble.

Having thus described my invention or discovery, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The herein-described casein solution.

comprisin casein, alcohol, an alkaline hydrate solu la in alcohol, and formaldehyde.

2. The herein-described method of producin a casein solution which, when dried out, W51 be Waterproof or insoluble in water, consisting in dissolvin casein in a mixture of alcohol and an alk ine hydrate soluble in alcohol, neutralizing the mixture, and then adding formaldeh de to the solution.

In testimony w ereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NRY V. DUNHAM.

Witnesses:

Louis H. SMITH, Masons ALLEN. 

